The Armor of God Begins With the Belt of Truth

“¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” – Ephesians 6:13-18a (ESV)

Knowing of the Armor of God and the six pieces is something that I learned when I was very young and in Sunday School. Arming myself with the Armor provides protection and from and the tools needed to “withstand in the evil day”. I guess that I had never really put much thought into the order that the six pieces are introduced by Paul.

The “Belt of Truth” is where it all begins. I have to remember that my protection and gear going into battle each day begins with Truth, since Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” in John 14:6, when I start with the Truth, I am starting with Jesus in my corner.

This is not to say the rest of the Armor is not important, as it is vital to my survival in the world around me. I need all of the Armor for protection and to fight back, but without Jesus, I will have no chance of that survival. It is Jesus that fights for me when I am tired and weary. It is Jesus that stands in the way of evil. It is Jesus that protects me from behind as I move forward with the tasks assigned to me by God.

As I move into today and tomorrow and the next day to put on the Armor of God, beginning with the “Belt of Truth” so that I am sure to place Jesus first in all that I do. With Jesus as the beginning, I will be easily able to carry the remaining Armor as I “withstand in the evil day”.

What are your thought about the Armor of God? Will you commit to putting it on each day? Will you begin with the “Belt of Truth” to start it all with Jesus?